Pet Insurance 101 Pet Insurance Companies Dogs Cats Plan Types Pre-Existing Conditions " Our content is free because we earn a commission when you click or make a purchase from links on our site. Learn more about how we make money. Cataracts In Dogs Get The Best Quote Now Pet Insurance U Last Updated: November 17th, 2020 2020 Best Pet Insurance Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye, resulting in blurry vision. Smaller cataracts in dogs have less impact on vision than larger ones, but still must be regularly monitored to prevent Other Pet Insurance blindness. Old age, disease, and eye trauma can cause cataracts, although they most commonly Reviews stem from inherited conditions. PetFirst Pet Insurance Review Table of Contents: !!!!! Petplan Pet Insurance Symptoms of Cataracts Surgery & Treatment Options Review !!!!! Breeds Prone To Cataracts FAQ About Cataracts Causes of Cataracts in Dogs Natural Treatments for Cataracts PetPremium Pet 4 Stages of Canine Cataracts Diabetes and Cataracts Insurance Reviews Types of Cataracts !!!!! Symptoms of Cataracts in Dogs The 6 Signs of Cataracts in Dogs are the following 1. Cloudy, bluish-grey eyes 2. Clumsy movement 3. Blinking more than usual 4. Irritated, red eyes 5. Discharge in the eye area 6. Pawing and scratching the eyes Breeds Prone To Cataracts And Age Of Onset Afghan Hound 6-12 months Bernese Mountain Dog 6+ months Boston Terrier 6-12 months Cocker Spaniel 6+ months Chesapeake Bay Retriever 1+ years German Shepherd 8+ weeks Golden Retriever 6-12 months Havanese 6+ months Labrador Retriever 6+ months Maltese at birth or 6+ months Miniature Schnauzer at birth or 6 + months Siberian Husky 6+ months Old English Sheepdog at birth Pekingese 6+ months Staffordshire Bull Terrier 6+ months Standard Poodle 1+ years Welsh Springer Spaniel at birth West Highland White Terrier at birth What Causes Cataracts in Dogs? Causes for canine cataracts include the following: Eye Injury Diabetes Old Age Nutritional disorders Genetic Inheritance Toxic Cataracts Caused by Disease Infection Birth-defects Radiation from Cancer Therapy 4 Stages of Canine Cataracts Stage 1: Incipient Cataract Stage An incipient cataract, also known as an immature cataract, is a very small, partial cataract that does not require surgery unless it’s in a worrisome location or progressing unusually fast. In incipient cataracts, the dog’s eye lens is slightly cloudy and opaque with a clear outer layer. The lens of the eye is only slightly opaque, with a clear cortex. Many cataracts in the incipient stage can be managed via routine follow-ups with a veterinary ophthalmologist or your regular vet. Stage 2: Immature Cataract Stage An immature cataract contains some clouding and opacity from protein buildup and it is considered the ideal stage for surgery. Swelling from "uid buildup during the immature phase make fracturing the lens easier for the surgeon. If an immature cataract goes untreated, the swelling may increase severely, causing intumescence (swelling, congestion) which leads to glaucoma, loss of vision and surgical complications. Stage 3: Mature Cataract Stage Mature cataracts are an advanced cataracts stage involve clouding of the entire lens. Since the eye is considerably damaged at this stage, surgical outcomes for mature cataracts lens are not optimal. Post-operative complications include lens instability, uvetis and capsular plaque buildups. Damaged tissue in mature cataracts makes surgery more challenging and operative risks at this stage include in"ammation, tearing of distorted eye capsules, di#culty implanting the arti!cial lens and coexisting conditions like glaucoma and retinal detachment. Stage 4: Hypermature Cataract Stage The hyper mature stage is the most advanced phase of cataracts disease in dogs. The eye is in the !nal stage of degeneration and untreated, hyper mature cataracts may cause loss of lubrication and moisture in the eye area, lens displacement, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. Vision loss is common in this disease phase and the a$ected eye can appear completely cloudy. It can take months or years to transition from the mature to hyper mature stage. As the cataract worsens from mature to hyper mature, the eye’s appearance wrinkles severely, similar to a grape turning into a raisin. Surgery may not be a viable option for dogs in the hyper mature stage due to di#culty implanting the arti!cial intraocular lens (IOL), scar tissue and structural damage in the nucleus and !brotic lens capsule. Types of Cataracts in Dogs Punctate Cataracts Punctate cataracts are at the beginning, the earliest stage of the cataracts disease. Since not all cataracts advance, Veterinary Ophthalmologists will give a dog with punctate cataracts a passing exam on a CERF testing report. The punctate cataract will have cloudy, opaque dots scattered throughout the lens. If the cause is genetic, the punctate cataract will usually progress and symptoms will worsen as the dog ages. Posterior Cataracts Posterior or “back surface” cataracts are small opaque, cloudy pockets of disease noticeable in the beginning (incipient/immature phase) stage of canine cataracts. Also known as subcapsular cortical cataracts because they form underneath the lens capsule, posterior cataracts should be watched closely because they develop rapidly with symptoms worsening within months. Unilateral Cataracts A unilateral cataract a$ects only one eye and is caused by trauma and secondary health problems. A unilateral cataract can also be congenital meaning it’s present as a birth defect but might not develop until later in the dog’s life. Younger dogs tend to develop unilateral cataracts more commonly because of their playful puppy nature. The most common treatment for a unilateral cataract is surgery if surgery isn’t recommended, your veterinary ophthalmologist may use topical corticosteroids and anti-glaucoma medications. Incipient Cataracts Cataracts at this stage will appear as very small clouds or opaque pockets in the dog’s eye. Incipient cataracts are very small and usually do not interfere with vision. However, these early- stage cataracts can progress into a mature or hypermature cataracts, which can cause vision loss and blindness. For these reasons, dogs and puppies with incipient cataracts should be routinely checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist for signs of disease progression. Nutritional Cataracts As the name suggests, nutritional cataracts are caused by a nutrient imbalance that results in a loss of clear transparency in the dog’s eye lens. Nutritional cataracts usually show up within the !rst few months of a puppy’s life and commonly appear when a puppy is switched from breast milk to a milk replacer. Although nutritional cataracts can improve with age and usually don’t usually interfere with vision, veterinarians recommend supplementing a milk replacer with arginine-rich beef or liver baby food. Arginine de!ciency is considered the main cause for nutritional cataracts Y Suture Cataracts Y sutures are lines that all dogs have on the front and back of their eye lens. The y-shaped suture line occurs as a result of the prenatal formation of eye lens tissue as the lens !bers grow into each other. Cataracts located at the y suture position advance less quickly and may not advance at all. Surgery & Other Treatment Options Dog cataracts are treatable and several options can be combined for optimal outcomes. While eye drops, supplementation and diet changes may reduce the severity of canine cataracts, immature, mature and hypermature cataracts can only be removed by surgery. However, it can be very expensive up to $3,000 per eye. If left untreated, cataracts can cause permanent vision loss and eventually, blindness. Most dogs with cataracts do not require surgery because most lens opacities in dogs (also known as cataracts) are small and don’t signi!cantly interfere with vision. Only a veterinary ophthalmologist can determine if a dog requires cataract surgery. If your dog is prone to cataracts, consider enrolling in pet health insurance to help cover the cost of surgery, so their vision is never at risk. Compare the Best Pet Insurance Select your state to get started. VT NH MA RI CT NJ DE MD DC Get Quote Frequently Asked Questions About Cataracts in Dogs What are cataracts in dogs? Cataracts impair vision by clouding the lens in the dog’s eye, making it murky, grey/blue and clouded. The eye’s natural transparency becomes more opaque as the disease progresses. As the disease progresses, the eye becomes totally opaque, resulting in blindness. How do you prevent cataracts in dogs? Nutritional support in the form of oral antioxidant supplementation can slow the progression of cataracts in the lens. Eye drops may also reduce in"ammation in the dog’s eye. Dark leafy vegetables like Kale and others like carrots, rich in vitamins E and C may also reduce the risk of developing canine cataracts. Supplementation with Bilberries mixed with Vitamin E stopped lens clouding in a large human study and may provide the same bene!t for dogs. How much is surgery for cataracts in dogs? Cataracts surgery performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist is approximately $3,400 and includes pre-operative blood work and examinations, anesthesia, hospitalization, initial medications and post-operative rechecks. Can cataracts in dogs be cured? There is no cure for cataracts. Once a lens has developed a cloudy cataract, there are no interventions that can make the eye completely clear again. Most owners notice a tremendous improvement in their dog’s vision after cataract surgery and while vision returns to nearly normal, it’s never perfect again. Can you cure canine cataracts without surgery? Canine cataracts have been dissolved without surgery in the laboratory but this breakthrough treatment is still in the experimental phase and will not be available to the public for some time. In July 2015, researchers at the University of San Diego found the genetic mutation responsible for the inner-eye protein clumps that impair vision and cloud eye lenses in dogs with cataracts.